"Butter" Knife FlowerIn a previous posting, I submitted a craft on making a dragonfly out of forks and butter knives. This craft shows how I used up the "leftovers" from the dragonfly which was a "thrifty" use of leftovers. It is made from the end pieces of forks and knives.
Silverware DragonflyUsing old silverware to create an outdoor sculpture adds interest to my collection of backyard sculptures. Some of this old silverware was what I used in my childhood my parents had given to me. I wasn't sure how I could use these "keepsake" knives and then came across this idea.
Kinetic Wind Spoon SculptureI saw a kinetic wind sculpture on Facebook and so I looked up a few ideas with how to make one. My husband was the brains behind this project and used a few ideas from various sources and added his own. Following is what we came up with.
Strip Quilt SquareI was given a lot of fabric from a friend. Part of the donation included long strips of fabric so I found this quilt pattern for using up strips of fabric.
Recycled Magazine ArtI made this as a gift for a friend who has a band called Black Cat Road. I used the back of a broken guitar, magazine page (black for the cat), sheet music, black shoelaces for the trim, and I attached a mini washboard, as the lead singer plays a washboard. The pages are rolled and glued using a glue stick (not the gel ones, as they are too sticky). They are cut to size and glued using Mod Podge, then the entire piece is sealed with Mod Podge, then sealed with clear spray acrylic.
Flower from Plastic BottleYou can make a beautiful flower from a simple plastic bottle. I used an iron to make this flower, not a candle flame. The hottest iron is not hot enough to melt plastic, so you won't ruin your iron or get charred edges on the petals, but it will be enough to make the flower petals curved. I also like this method because, unlike a candle flame, you cannot stain the petals with soot.
Candle Holder from Drink CanFrom a soda can you can quickly and easily make a candle holder. And if you use wire from an old transformer, then this candle holder will cost you absolutely nothing.
Folded Beaded Brooch from Old JeansDon't throw away your old jeans. Fold a few denim circles, add beads and you will have this original brooch. I like very much the contrast between the raw edge of the denim and the pearlescent color of the beads.
How to Turn a Funnel into a Bud VaseWhy spend money on buying a bud vase when you can make it yourself? From a glass funnel and copper transformer wire, you will get a very original bud vase.
Bug SculptureI made this with broken a patio chair and misc metal pieces. This is what happens when your husband stands on a patio chair, falls off, and it breaks! You make a bug sculpture! We used all of the chair except the seat which was actually the only part of the chair that broke and was unuseable.
DIY Sea Glass BottlesThis is an easy and simple technique for making colorful glass bottles using old bottles or bottles which once held soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Frank's hot sauce, etc.
Painted CD WreathYou can achieve this wreath with just 6 CDs, acrylic paint, paper, and ribbon. Or, make your own twist and use the CD as a base as this craft is versatile!
Recycled Dresser Drawer Decorative SignI found a few drawer fronts someone was throwing out, so I grabbed them and brought them home with the idea of making signs.
Decorative Junk Wood Window FrameWe recently got a new dishwasher and in the bottom of the box was a wooden frame. I couldn't throw it out so I made a window box out of stuff I had on hand.
Orchid Made from Empty Nespresso Coffee CupsI made this orchid from empty coffee capsules. I submitted a tip earlier, here are the step by step instructions and photos. The capsules come in beautiful colors so you can make them in many variations. I made the orchid on a fake stem from an artificial flower.
Egg Carton PandaThis is an adorable panda you can make out of an egg carton. It's holding a bamboo stick, which is made from the straw from a kid's drink box. This is a wonderful all-ages craft, and it's virtually free. :)
Tea Time - Tissue Box Tea PotThis is an original recycled tissue box teapot idea with inspiration from online paper craft teapots. It will be used for my future daughter-in-law's tea party, garden-themed bridal shower. The teapot will hold little plastic packets of citrus tea mix for the shower guests to take home.
Flowers Made from Nespresso CupsI made these flowers from empty aluminum Nespresso cups.
"Let's Smile" Box Sign Desk DecorBox sign decor items are really popular, but you can upcycle a box to make your own. I upcycled this sturdy belt box (that was going to go in the trash anyway) into this sign! Times are hard right now so I want to remember to smile so I wrote "Lets Smile" and this will be at the corner of my desk!
Recycled Mixed Materials Music ThemeI created this piece using an old plastic poster board, a broken mirror, magazine pages, and colored stones purchased at a recycle store.
Steampunk BottleThis bottle is decorated with miscellaneous craft and hardware items to make it into steampunk art. Steampunk is an art form inspired by the industrial revolution. So this steampunk bottle has gears and hardware which depict "movement."
Golden Butterfly SuncatcherThis is a great craft for small children of all ages. They love to make these to hang in their windows, on the front porch, or to display in their room hanging from the ceiling. I was teaching a class for handicap children here and was asked to help them make suncatchers. The only help these children needed was a little help to drill the hole in the suncatcher when it was finished.
Styrofoam Egg Carton RosesPlace these recycled roses in a handmade vase, or any flower holder. They can be paired with toilet paper roll daisies for a nice effect.
Mirrored Mosaic Flower VaseCreating new and interesting flower vases can be a lot of fun. This flower vase can be used to decorate your table, give to a friend, or even used for wedding decorations. The vase is simple to make. If a small child wants to make one for a friend, a parent might need to assist them when cutting the CDs to make the vase.
Tree Candlestick HolderCandlesticks are a great way to decorate your home. I have made these candlestick holders as table decorations for parties, given them to friends, and used them around the house to display candles. Here in Tahiti, it is a tradition to visit the gravesite of the loved ones who have passed. We light candles for them to light their way.
DIY Old Window DecorationChoose an accent color. Buy clear glass pieces at thriftstores, garage sales, and flea markets. Examples include: small bowls, candy dishes, candle holders, or glass tops to containers. Use an accent color in a few dishes.
Decorating Old WindowsYou can purchase old windows or scavenge from neighborhood trash days. I used Dollar Store glass gems to decorate. They come in all colors. GE Silicone II was used to place each gem. Now I hang it on my screen porch and the sun hits the glass and illuminates the gems.
Make a Tropical Fish from ShellsI used a scallop shell and a couple of pistachio shells to make this tropical fish. You can add a magnet to the back and put it on your fridge to hold up your notes and drawings. Super cute!
Egg Crate Turtle Paper WeightMake a cute paper weight to keep papers, or your kids' papers from flying everywhere especially when the fan is on or the air breeze is blowing in. You can apply this same concept to other animals too if you don't want a turtle.
Repurposing a Candy Box Into Shadow BoxesI had a leftover candy box with strong bones. It is very sturdy and would make not 1 but 2 shadow boxes. Here's how!
Egg Carton Magic MushroomsThese magic mushrooms make cute decorations. All you need is a paper-based egg carton, paint, and glue. This is a great all-ages craft.
Plastic Cup Contemporary LightMy friends went away on holiday and came back to find hundreds of Solo cups, and the remnants of what looked like a huge party, scattered about their house. There was no permission given for this blowout, of course. I thought I could help lighten things up (in two ways) by making them this decorative light with some of the cups.
My Framed Jewelry Display HolderI have lots of frames left from wall hangings in the past. Some of them with beautiful art details were very hard to part with. So I thought of making a creative and very functional piece which also becomes art.
Plastic Milk Jug FlowerI love plastic milk jugs because they are a lot like thick vellum paper, except they are free after you drink all your milk. After cleaning, drying, and cutting, these milk jugs can make beautiful flowers. Placing a candle in the middle and using it as a votive holder is optional.
Cotton Ball KittyThis is a super thrifty craft for all ages. This fluffy cat is made of cotton balls glued onto part of a plastic water bottle. Embellish it however you like. I used acrylic gems and a small piece of ribbon. Meow!
Upcycled Plastic Bottle Cap LightI save caps from my water bottles because they're always the same brand, making them completely uniform, therefore nice for crafts. This is a light I made from trash, basically. It's just a bunch of bottle caps and a plastic container from a miniature baking set.
Cookie Tin Shadow BoxFor the holidays we always purchase Danish cookies in the tin. The tins are sturdy and great for this project idea I had.
Making a Butterfly Suncatcher Using Uniquely Shaped LidsI have a storage room. During every season, I need to eliminate the moisture. So I buy these as the Dollar Tree. They are called, simply enough, Moisture Eliminators.
Make Big Showy Flowers from Plastic TableclothsI needed some big beautiful flower displays for a party. I asked for and received the plastic tablecloths that my local Tricky Tray was throwing out after their event. I created these beautiful flowers with them!
Art Deco Cardboard Wall ArtThis is a fun and easy way to make a very pretty piece of wall art using the cardboard centers of toilet paper rolls. Spray painting it is completely optional, but I like the sheen to make it look less like toilet paper tubes! ;)
How to Make Recycled Catalog FlowersPaper flowers can be make from a variety of paper types. Don't discard those unwanted or used catalogs, turn them into a unique floral arrangement or put to another decorative use. This is a page about how to make recycled catalog flowers.
Fall Pumpkin Decoration from a Lettuce KeeperI am decorating the house in autumn/fall décor; a little bit each day. I wanted a fancy pumpkin to sit in one of my baskets and display it in the kitchen. I love recycling/upcycling, so I poked around in the back storage room and decided that the old lettuce keeper would be perfect.
Recycled Metal Lid Ladybird (Ladybug) Wall DecorationThis is so cute and easy to make. Use any size lid from a jar and acrylic paint. If you don't have black and red cardstock or paint then allow yourself a little "poetic licence" and make your ladybirds in other crazy colours.
Mini Sock PumpkinsI hate it when I lose a sock in the laundry. I usually end up using the lonely one for cleaning or for crafts. Here is one of my crafts for the fall using old socks and branches from trees. Happy fall to you all!
Recycled Catalog FlowersEvery week, I receive a bunch of catalogs from stores where I shop. It is such a waste of paper and I need to figure out how to tell them to not mail me any. I decided to use one of my catalogs from this week to make flowers as decorations for my pen/pencil holder. I also thought it was cute to put on my pen too.
Recycled Wreath BaseAs a crafter, I am always looking for ways to incorporate green crafting into my crafts, using recycled materials whenever I can. Recently I realized that one could turn old vinyl record jackets and an empty packaging box into a sturdy base for a wreath. A great money saver!
Juice Can Lid Wind ChimesSave your juice lids from concentrated juice cans and make these cool recycled wind chimes. This page shows you how to make juice can lid wind chimes.
Decorated Wine BottlesMy friend recently had a birthday party. She decided to have all her friends and family do a craft to celebrate. We decorated these beautiful painted wine bottles. Each one turned out different and we all had a great time.
Making a Styrofoam Cup VaseDon't put that styrofoam cup in the landfill, make it into a little vase. This is a page about making a styrofoam cup vase.
Making a Cork Bulletin StripThis is a page about making a cork bulletin strip. If you have a drawer filled with saved corks or know a friend that drinks wine, use the corks to make a bulletin board strip for your home.
Painting Faux Stained Glass on Old WindowsThis is a page about painting faux stained glass on old windows. With a few inexpensive supplies you can create your own faux stained glass window to display in your home.
Cardboard Art FountainYou don't need expensive art materials to have fun. You can make something from cardboard boxes! I created a fountain and you can too. Check it out!
Wreath Made from a BookThis lovely little wreath lesson was offered at my local library and used discarded books for the project. Lovely I think and lots of fun to make with a friend/loved one!
Distressed ChandelierI saw this chandelier at a yardsale for $5 so I bought it thinking this would be great for my dining area if it were distressed to match my dining room table.
Nylon PumpkinMake a nylon pumpkin using old pantyhose or footies. This can be a great project for fall.
Upcycled Chopstick TrivetI have a rather large collection of disposable wooden chopsticks from decades of restaurants and takeouts. After I use them, I wash them and keep them either in my utensil drawer for reuse or in a canister for future crafts. This trivet is one of my favourite chopstick crafts.
Silverware Wind ChimeI have seen so many cool wind chimes on Pinterest and here lately that I had to start making my own. This is the first of many.
Cat Food Can as Candle Holder or CenterpieceHere is a way to turn cans into candle holders or a pretty flower centerpiece.
Metal Bottle Cap Oysters with PearlsHere is a way to transform metal bottle caps into cute customized oysters with pearls.
Cassette Tape LampMy husband recently turned 40 years old and I wanted to make him a present that captured some memories from his childhood. I saw some ideas for making a lamp out of cassette tapes and thought it was the perfect gift for him!
Soda Can Lantern as Outdoor DecorThis is how to recycle a soda can into a cute little lantern and use as outdoor decor.
Revamping Thrift Store FigurinesA bit of paint can turn your thrift store find into a whole new decorative piece to enhance your decor. This is a page about revamping thrift store figurines.
Upcycled Styrofoam Cup VaseI found a bunch of Styrofoam cups in the garage from a picnic we had 10 years ago. I didn't want to just throw them away, so I'm making little vases. All you need is a couple rubberbands and a pot of boiling water!
Mini Rag WreathMake this cute little wreath out of fabric taken from old t-shirts, pillowcases, and summer skirts. Add bows and embellishments for a bit of extra sparkle. Hang by your front door for a pretty first impression for visitors.
Yarn Wrapped Bottle VaseThis is a project to convert any old bottle into a stylish bottle vase/holder using only glue and yarn! the end result is lovely and extremely easy to make! i hope everyone tries it!
Making a Tin Can RobotThis is a page about making a tin can robot. This is a great recycle project for you and the kids to make together.
Scrabble Wall ArtHere is a fun craft that can be just as much fun for the "giver" as "receiver". We chose family and pets. Enjoy creating a gift that won't end up being returned!
Upcycled Vinyl Record ClockLooking for a something to do with those old vinyl records? Turn them into a kitchen clock as a special birthday gift for a friend. A real budget-friendly craft that delivers a pleasing end result!
Make Home Decor Crafts from Bed SpringsPurchase old bed springs from a thrift store. Decorate to your desire and give as gifts or use as decor in your own home.
Plastic Grocery Bag FlowersScrunch plastic grocery bags length-wise and tie off in 4 or 5 places. Cut the top of the bag, then cut just below each place that the bag was tied off.
Making Toothbrush T-shirt RugsI can't take credit for this. I Googled "toothbrush t-shirt rugs". I followed the tutorial and had nothing but fun with this project. A little hint, don't use t-shirts that have a large decal covering the front or back. This will not stretch into the "yarn" .
Recycled Magazine Wall ArtMagazine pages are a great material to use in your recycled paper projects. This is a page about recycled magazine wall art.
Bleach Bottle SnowmanThis is a video on how to make a recycled snowman that uses an empty bleach bottle.
Pizza Pan OwlUse an old, round pizza pan for the owl body. Can lids, bottle caps, and buttons make the eyes. Wooden hearts are the beak and feet.
Cork Bulletin StripI have been trying to use up the corks that I have and decided to make this version of a cork "cork board". It was easy to make and can fit into smaller space than a normal cork board. Plus I think it is more interesting.
Faux Stained Glass WindowsThis is a page about faux stained glass windows. You can easily create beautiful stained glass looking windows using recycled windows and adding paint or other embellishments.
Crafts Using Old WindowsReclaim an old window by adhering broken glass, old hardware or shells (use your imagination) using a strong bonding compound. This window can be put outside or in
Use a Leather Jacket to Cover a Worn FootstoolI had a woven footstool that was beginning to come apart. Instead of purchasing expensive reed to re-weave it, I decided to cover it with genuine leather from a secondhand coat I purchased for two bucks! I left the woven part of the stool intact to create stability.
Recycled Bedspread and Bed Spring BunnyWhat better way to give your home a touch of spring than with a bed spring bunny. This bunny head is made using an old chenille bedspread, a recycled bed spring, and a few other odds and ends you probably already have in your craft supplies. The finished bunny stands 11 inches tall.
Sweater PillowDon't throw out those sweaters that no longer fit; instead, recycle them by creating throw pillows. This is a quick and simple craft.
Bottle Cap MagnetsThese bottle cap magnets are to hang on your fridge. You can design them any way you like, with words or even pictures.
Rain Boot Flower ArrangementBrighten rainy days with a playful centerpiece made with a pair of children's rubber rain boots. I immediately knew they would look adorable as flower containers displayed on a porch or in an entryway.
Flag Painted ShuttersRecycle an old window shutter into a painted flag decoration for the Fourth of July and other patriotic summer holidays. This project is quick to create and because it is painted in a primitive style, mistakes and imperfections add to the finished result.
Recycled Paper PotteryLooking for something to do with junk mail from your grocer or old magazine pages? Make "Paper Pottery"! Colorful vases, bowls, plates, and more can be made with different themes using old maps, books, colors, invitations, holiday cards, etc.
Carousel Horse DecorationI found a broken child's rocking horse discarded on the curb for trash pick up. This is how I gave new life to an old horse.
Recycled Wine Cork BoardEver wondered what to do with all those wine corks that you have been saving for some reason? Well here is the answer to that problem: make a recycled cork-board.
Recycled Bedspread RugThis is a rug made from a queen size bedspread that I found for $2 at the thrift store. The bedspread had bleach stain spots on it, but as you can see, they aren't visible in the rug.
Recycled Plastic FlowersI came up with this idea for a school recycling project. It is made out of a any tall container and filled with flowers cut out of pop bottles.
Recycled Cardboard VaseThis is a really cool use of recycled cardboard and a very funky way to display flowers in your green home.
Recycled Decorative VaseMake a vase for artificial flowers by recycling an empty thread cone and a used CD.
Recycled Baking Pan TraysOld baking pans or cookie sheets can be decoratively painted to match your decor and used for all kinds of things. Here a cake pan was transformed into a hot beverage service tray for home or office.
Recycled Mosaic MirrorMosaic mirror without the messy grout. This is a great use of recycled cut up credit and gift cards. Plastic cards are cut up and glued onto a painted wood frame that give it a whole new look with dimension, color, and without the messy grout.
Recycled BottheadsRecycling pop or water bottles into funny faces. The creations can then be used as decor or piggy banks. Making a family of Bottheads is great fun for the kids.
Recycled Flower VaseA recycled flower vase is made from reusing an empty pickle jar. It is very simple to make by taking the most ordinary item, a pickle jar, and turning it into something beautiful with a little bit of paint, time and flowers.
Thrifty Custom Painted SignsThis is a fun way to create custom art using very inexpensive supplies, often things most people have on hand. Great for giving old items new life.
Ceiling Fan Blade Key HolderThis is an easy way to use old ceiling fan blades, I turn them into key holders. It takes a short time and they are fun gifts to give.
CD Spindle Toilet Paper HolderThis is a great recycling craft that is easy enough for kids to do with parent supervision. This is an earth friendly craft as we need to recycle, reuse as much as we can to keep plastic out of the land fills.
Old Window Themed ArtOur master bathroom had no windows and I wanted something in there that made me feel as though it did and looked pretty to match my floral theme. I like to free hand paint so I bought an old wooden 2 pane glass window which I bought at our local salvage place that recycles, it cost $2.
Baby Food Jar Tea LightsWondering what to do with baby food jars? Make tea lights! Brush etching cream on jar. No need to do the rim or the bottom. Let sit overnight. Be sure to place the jar on a thick rag or towel to protect your work surface.
Embroidery Hoop Wall HangingMy mom's vintage circle skirt paired up with two of my old fringed Ts that were destined for the ragbag. This was a fun project! Not long ago, there was another similar ThriftyFun post with the cloth in the embroidery hoop for adding a little life to a bare wall.
Craft BirdhousesThis is a craft that my mother-in-law and I made. It uses empty seed packets. Pick 6 of your favorite images for the project. I prefer to use 2 of the same for the roof. We hot glued the packages to a block of Styrofoam. We used 2 packages for the roof.
Decorated Spray BottleI painted a pump spray bottle with black acrylics (2 coats) and decorated it with gold "accent" paint (.99 on sale at Michael's) to match my bathroom decor. (Wallpaper in the background.)
